Carnival Celebration Elite Cruise Review - 3/26 - 4/2/23

[lazydayz]

Just returned from the Celebration on an Elite cruise.  Started off with a nice cocktail party with lovely food.  They gave away three prizes and introduced the hosts, Denver, Dion, Maya and Darrien (think he is in training).  You go to the casino cage to get parking reimbursed (did not need a receipt) and the Platinum bonus $25.

 

Casino was busy but could always find a machine.  Drawing at 11 each night (except the last day, when the drawing was at 4) and games included Matilda, Bubbles, Super Joker and Fill my Bag.

 

As to gifts, we got the wine and cheese basket, a Carnival Swiss army type tool, eight cookies, and two waterproof speakers.  Very nice gifts this time.  
 

We choose one of the offered excursions and all of the hosts were there, though they kept to themselves for the most part.  If you choose the credit instead, it is $150 per person, for up to two people. 
 

I was also given dinner for two at Rudi’s but for the first time, it didn’t include a bottle of wine.  With Free Drinks Everywhere for both myself and my husband, we really didn't miss it. And $100 for Bonsai Sushi, which was a feast!  Hard for two people to eat $100 of sushi, but they do have a steak which was very good.

 

Only the Elite players were eligible for the drawings.  
 

Our pre-ordered (free) tequila, vodka, and mixers were waiting in the cabin.  
 

Over the course of the week, there were some really big jackpots won.  The highest I heard was $23,000, but several more were over $10,000.  I won two small jackpots, one each on the last two days. 
 

Carnival Players Club did a great job of taking care of the Elite players this cruise, and this is the best host team I have cruised with. There were plenty of servers in the casino, and it was very easy to get drinks.  If you go on the Celebration, look for Alfredo in the casino.  He is a great server, who always checked with me and even remembered my name and folio number.  

[luvs2beachit]

Thanks for posting about your experience, it was exactly the information I was looking for.  I am on an Elite cruise in June on the Venezia and I can't find the Elite cruise promo that I thought I saved. Duh.

Could you provide a bit more detail about the 11pm nightly drawings?

Thanks.

[lazydayz]

On 4/7/2023 at 11:01 PM, luvs2beachit said:

Thanks for posting about your experience, it was exactly the information I was looking for.  I am on an Elite cruise in June on the Venezia and I can't find the Elite cruise promo that I thought I saved. Duh.

Could you provide a bit more detail about the 11pm nightly drawings?

Thanks.

Sure, they are only open to Elite invited guests.  Up to five contestants were chosen to play the game.  Most won free play ranging from $100 to $500.  I missed the fill my bag one, but talked to one guy who was chosen and he won free play, a spa gift certificate, t-shirt, etc.  

 

However, I was on an unlucky streak, as my name was not called for any of the nightly drawings. 

[lazydayz]

On 4/7/2023 at 11:01 PM, luvs2beachit said:

Thanks for posting about your experience, it was exactly the information I was looking for.  I am on an Elite cruise in June on the Venezia and I can't find the Elite cruise promo that I thought I saved. Duh.

Could you provide a bit more detail about the 11pm nightly drawings?

Thanks.

Have you done your Elite cruise?  Wondering how they handled it on the Venezia.  Thanks 

[luvs2beachit]

12 hours ago, lazydayz said:

Have you done your Elite cruise?  Wondering how they handled it maon the Venezia.  Thanks

No not yet.  We leave Tuesday 6/27.  I will report back when we get return next week. I have done Premier and Ultimate in the past but found them to be very overcrowded and a bit lackluster so I have not taken advantage of them in recent years.  I was already booked on this cruise, originally the Magic, and was moved over to the Venizia when Carnival switched ships.  I received the invite to the Elite cruise and saw that the Venizia was listed as a choice and called my PVP and she made the switch from my balcony / cash/ drink promo to the Elite cruise.  I am looking forward to the Elite cruise, in particular, because of your detailed account.  Thanks for checking back!

[lazydayz]

2 hours ago, luvs2beachit said:

No not yet.  We leave Tuesday 6/27.  I will report back when we get return next week. I have done Premier and Ultimate in the past but found them to be very overcrowded and a bit lackluster so I have not taken advantage of them in recent years.  I was already booked on this cruise, originally the Magic, and was moved over to the Venizia when Carnival switched ships.  I received the invite to the Elite cruise and saw that the Venizia was listed as a choice and called my PVP and she made the switch from my balcony / cash/ drink promo to the Elite cruise.  I am looking forward to the Elite cruise, in particular, because of your detailed account.  Thanks for checking back!

Have a great cruise. 

[CruiseMomTX]

Thanks for the information!  Were on our first Elite on the Dream 8/12.

[gkbiiii]

On 6/25/2023 at 11:19 PM, luvs2beachit said:

No not yet.  We leave Tuesday 6/27.  I will report back when we get return next week. I have done Premier and Ultimate in the past but found them to be very overcrowded and a bit lackluster so I have not taken advantage of them in recent years.  I was already booked on this cruise, originally the Magic, and was moved over to the Venizia when Carnival switched ships.  I received the invite to the Elite cruise and saw that the Venizia was listed as a choice and called my PVP and she made the switch from my balcony / cash/ drink promo to the Elite cruise.  I am looking forward to the Elite cruise, in particular, because of your detailed account.  Thanks for checking back!

How was your Elite cruise on Venizia, tell us how it went!